In accordance with the Atherton General Plan, which seeks to maintain Atherton as “a rural residential area,” it is the policy of the Town of Atherton to protect the peace, health and safety of its citizens from unnecessary and unreasonable noise produced by any person, machine, animal or device.

• Power garden equipment such as leaf-blowers, vacuums, power mowers, rototillers, and other similar equipment can only be used between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
• Heavy-duty equipment such as wood-chippers, chain-saws, stump-removers and other similar equipment should only be used between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays.
• Noise from social gatherings should not be excessive and should be limited to the hours between 10:00 a.m. and midnight, Fridays and Saturdays, and 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Sundays and holidays.
• Animal noises that occur continuously and/or incessantly for a period of five minutes or more, or intermittently for one-half hour or more are also prohibited by Atherton ordinance.  A number of Lindenwood residents have complained about dogs barking and howling during the day when they are left alone. Please make sure that your pet is not one of the offenders.

Residents who are bothered by commercial aircraft noise can report their concerns at (650) 821-4736 or toll free at (877) 206-8290, or by email at sfo.noise@flysfo.com.  Be sure to provide the date, time and location of the noise incident(s).  More information may be found at: http://www.flyquietsfo.com/.  For an online SFO complaint form click here.   

For small plane noise issues, call the San Carlos Airport directly at (650) 573-2666 or for an online complaint form click here. For more information visit their website at https://publicworks.smcgov.org/noise-abatement-program

We all love the beauty that the trees of Lindenwood and Atherton provide.  To help maintain that beauty, Atherton has a heritage tree ordinance that requires a permit before removal for any reason of a tree which has a trunk circumference of 48 inches or more when measured 48 inches above the natural grade.  To obtain a permit, contact the Atherton Building Department.  Also, please consider the potential positive and negative impacts on your neighbors when planting or removing any trees, shrubs or other vegetation, and be considerate of your neighbors’ interests.

Tree care tips

Common landscaping practices often threaten the majestic Oaks in Lindenwood.  The native trees have adjusted to the natural Mediterranean climate and are accustomed to getting rainfall only during the cool season. When we supply water frequently during the warm months, the indigenous diseases, such as oak root fungus (Armillaria), infect trees which would otherwise not be damaged.  The most common mistakes:

•  Sprinklers striking the trunks of trees
•  Soil level raised above the original grade
•  Impervious surfaces installed over large portions of the absorbing roots
•  Soil cuts or fills of more than 6″ depth within the root zone

Change the irrigation pattern and, if necessary, equipment so that the trunk and root collar area remain dry; use only a 3″ thick layer of mulch or a 2″ layer of 3/8″ gravel in areas beneath the canopy; avoid impervious surfaces or planting where possible; do not plant species inside the drip line which need water more than two times per month; if existing plants are too important to remove from beneath tree canopies, replace sprinkler heads with drip emitters; and, keep ivy away from the base of those majestic oaks!

By Atherton ordinance, construction activities by contractors or workers (including deliveries and pick- ups) are permitted only on non-holiday weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Only you can do construction work at your home on weekends or holidays.  The Atherton ordinance is very clear that homeowners can do work on their property on the weekends during specific hours, but contractors and workers cannot.  This also means that there are to be no materials delivered during that time.  We have a great deal of construction underway; please be considerate of your neighbors.

The biggest complaint the Lindenwood Homes Board receives from homeowners regards the increasing number of speeding cars throughout Lindenwood.  Especially dangerous are the early morning speeders – parents taking their children to school and people hurrying to work between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m.  James, Oak Grove and Frederick Avenues have become “speedways” as has the curve on Acorn between Catalpa and Greenoaks.  Hopefully it won’t take a serious accident to make people realize that they must slow down.  Watch your speed – 25 mph is fast enough!

Lindenwood Area school hours

Below is information about the start and end times for our local public schools. Be aware that during those times there will be increased traffic. Please watch for bikes and pedestrians and be patient.

Note: Elementary school grades start and end at different times, resulting in multiple start and end times for those schools.

Many of our walkers and cyclists are concerned about overgrown and dense vegetation.  Please walk around your property.  You should be able to walk on the edge of the street pavement without wading through ivy and without being hit by plants.  The Atherton Town Ordinance suggests that there should be nothing in the first 2 feet from the edge of the pavement, then vegetation no taller than 3 feet for the next 6 feet. Trees and hedges should be planted 8 or more feet from the edge of the pavement in order to allow walkers, bikers and drivers a safe visual path.

After a party, please remove balloons and signs from where you have placed them to guide guests.  They are ugly when left to hang deflated, or when just the dangling strings remain decorating the posts.  And please do not use our gates and artifacts for these signs and balloons. 

It’s great fun walking your dog, but remember, by Atherton ordinance, dogs must be on a leash.  And also remember to scoop or bag; even dog lovers don’t like evidence of other people’s dogs in their yards and flower beds.